Improvement in step-ladders



awansem atznt ditaa W'ILLIAM e. PHILIPS, 'or NEWPORT, DE-LAWAREI Lettersmam; NO. 110,785, dana January 3, 1871.

' IMPROVEMENT IN STEP'LADDERS.

The Scheule referre. to in. these Letters Patent and making part' ofthe'same.

To all whomit 'may conc'rn 'struotiorr and arrangement of astep-la`dder, as'will -be herein'after fully set forth.

In order to enable lothers skilledin the art to which niy'inventionappeltaius to make and-use the I same, I will now proceed to deseribeits construction and operation, referring to the annexed drawing, inwhich- Figural 1 is av perspective viewof my step-ladder spread outready for use, and

Figure 2 is a side View of vthesame folded up.

IA A represent the two sides of my step-ladder, connected by means ofthe steps B B, placed a suitable distance apart. The lower ends of thesides A A are spread outward, as shown, so as to form a broader base forthe ladder.

The top step o f the ladder consists of a platform, O, pivoted near itsfront edge between the sides of an auxiliary ladder or prop formed ofthe sides D D and rouuds E E, which' serve .as a supportor brace for thestep-ladder A B, the upper ends of the sides DD fitting, when the ladderis spread open for use, in notches made in the rear sides near the upperends vof the sides A A, as shown in fig. 1.1

Underneath the platform O, and fastened to the sides A A, are pius orstops, which` serve as an addi-f tiouall rest for the platform when theladder is in 'position 'for use. These pins or stops may answer in lieuof the notches meutioued above, as the, platform comes to its rightposition when it lghts upon them.

I `A B and D E are connected on each side by means of a pivoted bai',G,.Which -holds them a proper distance apart for use; also, vassist tosupport the weight upon the ladder; w

i The.jsides"D"D areA the same shape as the sides A A, so that, when theladder is folded up as shown iu fig. 2, they-will come close together.

Near-4 the upper end of the side' D is pi'foted an arm', b, provided,-`near its outer' end, with a pin, a,

,whieh,.when the ladder is spread out for use, hooks over the projectingend of the shaft e, or will hracel against the barG on the side A; or,if put on the inner side of D, can"brace against one of the steps` ofthe ladderxf B. This serves as au additional security'in holding theladder in position when in use.

Having thus fully d'escribed my invention,

What I clai'm'as new, and desire to secure by Le't- `ters Patent, is-.

The construction and arrangement of the ladcler A B, support or prop DE, lplatform O, bars G'G, arm

'7), pin a, and sh'aft-e, alll substautially as shown and described, andfor the purposes set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoingiI have hereunto set my. handthis 15th (layofOctober, 1870.

- I WM. G. PHILIPS.

Witnesses: a

O. L. EVERT, J. l-nToHmsoN.

